16.10.09

CZECH MATES

The latest event in the World Series takes place in Prague in the Czech Republic this weekend.

Clive Everton will be joining the Eurosport commentary team for the two days.

The four professionals involved are world champion John Higgins, world no.2 Stephen Maguire, 2006 world champion Graeme Dott and perennial fans’ favourite Jimmy White.

They are pitted against four local wildcards on the opening day.

This is the strength as well as the weakness of the whole concept. It’s is, of course, admirable to involve local players but none of them will be anywhere near the standard of the professionals and so a day of walkovers beckons.

What an opportunity, though, for Lukas Krenek, Michael Krystof, Sishuo Wang and Osip Zusmanovic who will each play one of snooker’s biggest names live on television.

Snooker is growing in popularity in the Czech Republic as a result of Eurosport’s coverage of the main tour.

To have the reigning world champion playing in a televised tournament in the capital city means a red letter day – or two days – for those Czech fans who have been glued to the action on their TV sets these last few years.

Launch each event on Friday night with an exhibition match between John Higgins and one local player.

Saturday, start the event with four seeds and four other players, one of whom has won a qualifying competition open to everyone who pays the entry fee. One other is a 'golden oldie' and the other two are drawn from lower down the rankings and pikced for their flair, youth or whatever they could bring to the tournamnet - Judd Trump, jamie Cope, Liang Wenbo etc.

Just heard Mike Hallet telling our own David H that Graeme Dott was on a 147 when it was visible on screen that Dott had taken a green and a blue in the break.David alerted Mike to this and he then said "my apologies, 139 then".Also wrong Mike.A classic.

Before Pat Mooney preaches to anyone he should have a look at his own events. he needs to spend more than eight quid on promotion - and I'm sure there has to be a better venue than the local BMW dealership.